RMIT offers grants, scholarships and government programs to help eligible students fund approved overseas study experiences. Availability and eligibility vary by destination and program and is not guaranteed.
You will be assessed for all funding you qualify for, but places are competitive. In most cases, you can receive one funding opportunity per overseas experience.
Most funding listed is for domestic students studying in Asia. A few scholarships and grants cover Europe, and some may accept international students depending on the year. Check each listing for eligibility.
These donor‑funded scholarships support eligible students undertaking overseas study for credit. Eligibility, amounts, and disciplines vary. Below are the philanthropic scholarships available:
Destinations: Any | Activity: Long and short‑term programs | Discipline: Any | Student eligibility: Australian citizens, permanent residents and NZ citizens
Honours leadership and intercultural engagement by enabling a student facing barriers to participate in a Global Learning experience.
This scholarship rotates the funded program type each year.
Rotates program type each year
Students who are Australian citizens, permanent residents or New Zealand citizens and can demonstrate financial disadvantage and leadership potential in academic, extracurricular or community settings. Selection also considers previous time spent abroad.
Applications open during the year. Selection is competitive and considers equity and leadership.
A scholarship established in memory of an outstanding leader is allowing students to develop their own leadership skills overseas.
For RMIT students Aditi Karna and Louise King, studying overseas is more than a chance to travel. It is an opportunity to build confidence, experience new cultures, connect with global communities and bring new perspectives back to their studies.
Destinations: Any | Activity: Semester exchange | Discipline: Any | Student eligibility: Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident
Supports students undertaking exchange who demonstrate community service and broader contributions.
$10,000 with three awards per semester.
Domestic students placed as RMIT exchange students. Selection considers community service, extracurricular contributions and previous time spent abroad.
Runs each semester. Selection is competitive.
Apply via Mobi when applications open.
Destinations: Any | Activity: Semester exchange | Discipline: Interior Design | Student eligibility: Domestic
Supports one Interior Design student to undertake overseas study.
$8,000 per year for one student.
Domestic students in Interior Design. Selection is based on academic performance and equity.
Eligible students are contacted to apply.
Instructions are provided directly to eligible students.
Destinations: Milan, Italy (host may vary by year) | Activity: Semester exchange | Discipline: Rotates by year (2027: Industrial Design) | Student eligibility: Domestic
Supports a student in the nominated discipline to undertake a semester exchange in Milan, Italy.
$8,000 per year for one student.
Discipline rotates annually. Selection is based on academic performance. Eligible students are invited to apply.
By invitation to eligible students.
Instructions are provided directly to eligible students.
Destinations: Any | Activity: Semester exchange | Discipline: Landscape Architecture | Student eligibility: Domestic
Supports an undergrad or postgrad Landscape Architecture student to participate in overseas study.
$1,500 per year for one student.
Domestic students in Landscape Architecture. Selection is based on academic performance and equity.
By invitation to eligible students.
Instructions are provided directly to eligible students.
Destinations: Asia (multiple countries) | Activity: Leadership program following prior Asia study | Discipline: Any | Student eligibility: Domestic
A nine‑month leadership program for students who have previously studied in the Asia‑Pacific, with residential components and networking across the region.
Covers major travel, accommodation and program costs. Approximate value is $16,000.
Domestic students who have previously completed a semester of study in the Asia‑Pacific and can demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential and commitment to Asia capability.
Runs annually. Selection is conducted by the program provider.
Apply on the program website.
Planning your finances is an important part of preparing for studying overseas. You'll need to pay for all living expenses, such as accommodation, travel and food.
Living costs vary according to your destination and length of your overseas study, so it’s important to prepare a budget. Be sure to check costs and inclusions for the program you're applying for in order to plan your budget.
Each funding type has specific terms and conditions. Please read the Global Learning Ambassador Requirements (see below), as well as the type of scholarship or grant you have been offered to see the specific terms and conditions that apply. Contact global.funding@rmit.edu.au if you have any questions or require clarification.
All RMIT students who receive a grant or scholarship to support their overseas study are required to act as responsible RMIT Global Learning Ambassadors. Requirements and conditions are as follows:
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In addition to the Global Learning Ambassador Requirements, the terms and conditions outlined below also apply.
By accepting New Colombo Plan funding I acknowledge that I am obliged to fulfil the conditions under which the grant is awarded, and I will be personally liable to repay the funds in full should I fail to comply with these conditions.
I declare that I understand the following:
Payment
I will be paid the funds into my Australian bank account and the funds received will be used to meet the costs incurred during my mobility activity. Payment will be made within a few days of the payment schedule date as outlined on my scholarship offer in Enrolment Online, as long as I have provided my updated bank details.
Conditions
New Colombo Plan Guidelines as outlined by DFAT can be found here:
Overpayments and incorrect payments
Where a scholarship or grant payment is made incorrectly, including where a recipient receives more than their approved entitlement due to an administrative or processing error, RMIT reserves the right to recover the overpaid amount. Recipients are required to repay any overpayment in accordance with the instructions and timeframe provided by RMIT.
Privacy
In order to assess your application to participate in the New Colombo Plan (Program), RMIT collects personal information including, but not limited to, your name, your contact details including (residential address, phone number and email), sensitive information including health information, your passport and travel details as well as declarations regarding your financial ability to participate in the Program. If you do not provide this information, in whole or in part, we may not be able to provide you with a funding grant. RMIT may use your information to:
Some of your personal information will be provided to third parties including overseas recipients, including, but not limited to, your Host University and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Information will only be used for purposes related to your application for participation or subsequent participation in your specified program/s. DFAT will only use personal information for the purposes outlined in the New Colombo Plan Mobility Program Guidelines (Section 13). Where personal information is provided to overseas recipients the overseas recipient may not be bound by Australian privacy legislation and/or subject to any privacy obligations. In such circumstances, DFAT is not be accountable under the Privacy Act should the overseas recipient breach Australian Privacy Principles. More information regarding the way in which the Home University, DFAT will manage your personal information, including full privacy policies and contact details, can be obtained here, education.gov.au/privacy and dfat.gov.au/privacy or by requesting a copy from the relevant organisation.
In addition to the Global Learning Ambassador Requirements, the terms and conditions outlined below also apply.
In accepting this grant, I acknowledge that I am obliged to fulfil the conditions under which the grant is awarded, and I will be personally liable to repay the funds in full should I fail to comply with these conditions.
I declare that I understand the following:
Eligibility
Student is not eligible to receive more than one student grant or scholarship for the same activity from RMIT or the same source.
Payment
I will be paid the funds into my Australian bank account and the funds received will be used to meet the costs incurred during my mobility activity. Payment will be made within a few days of the payment schedule date as outlined on my scholarship offer in Enrolment Online, if I have provided my updated bank details.
Overpayments and incorrect payments
Where a scholarship or grant payment is made incorrectly, including where a recipient receives more than their approved entitlement due to an administrative or processing error, RMIT reserves the right to recover the overpaid amount. Recipients are required to repay any overpayment in accordance with the instructions and timeframe provided by RMIT.
Non-Completion of overseas study
If for any reason I am unable to participate in the overseas study, even if the program has commenced, I will repay the award within four weeks of notifying the Global Learning team of my circumstances. I will provide a written account of the reasons for the non-completion to the Global Learning team as soon as the activity is terminated.
Please provide your written account to the Global Learning team by lodging a ticket through the Student Connect Student Service and Support Portal.
Reporting
I will complete any reporting requirements within a reasonable timeframe, if and as requested by the Global Learning team.
Privacy
I understand that my personal information is collected for the purpose of determining my eligibility to receive the funds. Disclosure of my personal information may be made to the Department of Education as required by law, and to the RMIT Finance area to facilitate payment of my funds. I also understand that the privacy of my personal information will be protected in accordance with the RMIT Privacy Policy. Further information on privacy at RMIT is available here. I have read and understood the information above, and I confirm that I accept the conditions and obligations outlined.
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